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Reason why Congress less popular than head lice?

A newly-elected Congress now takes office, hopefully ready to take on the task of doing the people's work, the work of the nation.

As the New Year began, we very narrowly averted the fiscal cliff. Unfortunately it took such a crisis for Congress to come together and cooperate and compromise.

Is it any wonder then, that over the past decade Congress has often had approval ratings much lower than those of presidents? I would remind this incoming Congress that the American people do not want political gridlock that stops up government and keeps things from getting done.

What we want is cooperation and compromise. We may have voted for a form of divided government, but what the American people want and expect from Congress is cooperation and compromise, a working together. And at one time, we had just that.

Certainly Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals, have always had their differences. But, at one time, they set those differences aside and willingly worked together. Each side gave something and each side got something, and together they forged legislation that both sides could accept, and the president could sign.

But not anymore. In more recent years, the aisle in both the House and the Senate became a wall. A reinforced concrete wall. No one reaches across it. No one works to tear it down.

Instead, they add a few more bags of concrete and a few more reinforcing bars, and both sides stubbornly dig in their heels as the wheels of government slowly grind to a halt.

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Is it any wonder the American people are angry with Congress?

I would also remind this incoming Congress that we, the American people, voted you into office, and if you fail to properly serve our interests, come election time again we can and will vote you out.

It is, after all, not government of the government. What we should have is government of the people, and I hope this incoming Congress remembers that.